Should You Wear Your Natural Hair to An Interview?

If you’re here, you’re probably asking yourself, “should I wear my natural hair to an interview?” My answer is a resounding “yes!” Before I get into the reasons why you should wear your natural hair, I’d like to share a story with you. If you’re short on time, feel to skip to my list of reasons.

My Natural Hair Story

When I went to college, I decided to go natural. At the time, I was pretty confident in my decision. So I didn’t care what anyone would think, except my future potential employers. A woman has to get paid. And we all know how it goes when you’re fresh out of college: everyone wants experience but as a new grad you typically have none.

So I decided to consult with two of my professors (both of whom wore their natural hair and were well-seasoned in their careers). I asked them whether they thought it would effect my career protects if I cut my hair and went natural. To my surprise, they both told me that they didn’t think it was a great idea. I was disappointed by their responses. Yet, at the same time I understood that they were only trying to help.

Hair Discrimination is Real

The reality is that hair discrimination exists. In fact, African American women face the highest instances of hair discrimination and are more likely to be sent home from the workplace because of their hair. Thankfully, some leaders in Congress are trying eradicate hair discrimination in the workplace. In 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination based on a person’s hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. If passed by the the U.S. Senate, the CROWN Act will prohibit race-based hair discrimination, making it illegal to discriminate against an individual’s hairstyle or texture nationwide.

Deciding Whether to Wear My Natural Hair to Interviews

Because hair discrimination existed before the CROWN Act—and will unfortunately exist thereafter-—I understand why my professors told me not to go natural before interviewing. That said, I refused to accept their advice because the thought of conforming didn’t align with my values, beliefs, and most importantly, my identity. So, I chose to cut my hair and go natural before applying for jobs. Was I nervous? Absolutely! I was very afraid to cut my hair short because change is scary. But, in my opinion, never changing far worse. So I went for it.

Hiding My Natural Hair at Interviews

Once I went natural, I struggled with the decision of whether I should wear my hair natural during interviews. I often asked myself whether I should wear a wig, get my hair straightened, or just rock my natural hair curls. What made my decision more difficult is the fact that I didn’t personally know any black woman who wore their natural hair in the industry, much less interviewed with it. So I had no inspiration or role models in that respect.

For my first two interviews I decided not to wear my natural hair. Instead, I wore a straight-hair wig that went a little pass my shoulders. I didn’t land either job. It sucked. But what made it worse is how I looked in the photos I took while waiting to interview for the second job. In the photo, I was well-dressed, well groomed, and my make up was on point. But I didn’t look like me. I’d hidden my natural hair and essentially hidden my true self.

Wearing My Natural Hair to Interviews

Disappointed that I let my fears persuade me to conform, I decided to wear my natural hair to the next interview. And guess what? I was offered the job while still sitting in the interview! Now, I’m not saying I got the job because I wore my natural hair. I was definitely well qualified for the position. But, what I will say is that wearing my natural hair to the interview, greatly increased my confidence. I felt much more relaxed and comfortable than I did during my previous interviews.

To this day, I’m grateful I interviewed with my natural hair. Here are some reasons I encourage you to do the same.

Reasons Why You Should Wear Your Natural Hair to Interviews

1. You Should Wear Your Natural Hair To Interview Because You Can

You don’t need anyone’s approval to wear your natural hair to an interview. As long as your hair is clean, well-groomed, and looks professional, there is absolutely no reason you should not wear it to an interview. If you have kinky coils, you are fortunate to have one of the most versatile hair types in the world, so take advantage of it. Display it for the world to see. There will always be people who will not appreciate the beauty of your natural hair. But that is their problem, not yours.

2. It Will Boost Your Confidence and Decrease Fear

Wearing your natural hair during an interview will increase your confidence and self-esteem. Why? Because you’re going into the interview as yourself, and not the way society expects you too. If you hide your natural hair you are essentially downplaying who you really are and concealing your true identity. So, it’s better to embrace the uniqueness that is your natural hair.

Wearing your natural hair to an interview for the first time may call your confidence into question. It may cause you to really re-examine how you view yourself on a subconscious level. But by revealing yourself, you can start getting to know yourself on a deeper level and consequently increase your self-acceptance and confidence. Your confidence may ebb and flow for a bit. But eventually it will become second nature.

3. Hiding Your Natural Hair May Hinder Your Growth or the Growth of Others

There are a lot of hidden dangers in hiding your natural hair (or any other part of yourself) during an interview. For one thing, you’ll be setting yourself up for disappointment down the road. Once you land the job, you may feel obligated to continue hiding your natural hair for fear of appearing disingenuous. This would not only stifle your growth and create an unnecessary distraction, it will keep you from connecting with others as deeply as you would if you were true to who you are.

Moreover, if you land the gig, you may continue to conform in other ways. For instance, you may feel pressured to adhere to other unreasonable or unfair standards to get promoted or advanced. Or, if you rise up in status, you may require those who come after you to abide by unfair standards. Of course this isn’t always the case. But it’s definitely something worth considering as you decide whether to wear your natural hair.

4. Your Employers Will Know What to Expect

By interviewing with your natural hair, you are not only presenting your true self, you’re giving your prospective employer an opportunity to reveal any biases against hair. If the employer doesn’t hire you because of curly locks, you won’t ever know (unless they are foolish enough to openly remark on your hair and face a potential lawsuit). Besides, if you don’t get the job due to discrimination, you will have done yourself a favor by avoiding what could have possibly been a toxic work environment.

If, however, the employer hires you after interviewing with you natural hair, you’ll thank yourself. You will have come as your authentic self and landed the job without conforming. This will decrease any impulse to alter your appearance to fit more Eurocentric beauty standards in the future.

5. Wearing Your Natural Hair to An Interview May Motivate Others

Wearing your natural hair during an interview can help redefine what is considered the “norm” in the workplace. Moreover, you never know who’s watching. You may motivate some beautiful sister whose hiding her natural hair and in desperate need of a trailblazer.

Bottom line, natural hair is beautiful and not meant to be hidden from the world. If you want to wear your natural hair to an interview, do it! If you don’t feel strong enough to go to an interview donning your natural hair, that’s okay too. At the very least, empower, appreciate, and praise women who do. They are paving the way. The more employers are exposed to differences, the more accepting they’ll become.

If you want to wear your natural hair to interviews, but are hindered by fear, continue to build up your self-esteem. Also, surround yourself with people who will encourage and support you until you’re no longer fearful. Before long, you’ll be walking into an interview, and hopefully a new job, with your natural hair exposed to the world.

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